Italian Anise Cookie Recipe
Anise cookie recipe, also knownas Italian Anisette Cookies, is a holiday favorite. They resemble thumbprintcookies, which are always a big hit.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- ½ cup 112g unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup 104g granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp 30ml milk (I used 2%)
- 1 tsp anise extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups 390g all-purpose flour (measured accurately)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- Sprinkles optional
Icing:
- 1 ½ cups 115g powdered sugar
- ¾ cup 180ml heavy cream
- ¾ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp anise extract
Instructions
To Make the Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set aside.
- In a large mixer bowl, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The batter will appear thin and curdled.
- Mix in the milk and extracts until well combined.
- Add the flour and baking powder, mixing until just combined. Do not over-mix.
- Form 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until cookies are just set and bottoms are not browned.
- Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
To Make the Icing
- Combine all icing ingredients in a small bowl.
- Whisk until well combined. Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar if too thin or more cream if too thick.
Decorate the Cookies
- Dip the tops of each cooled cookie into the icing.
- Let the excess icing drip off.
- Add sprinkles if desired and allow the cookies to dry.
Notes
NUTRITION
Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 70mgPotassium: 24mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 207IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Tips for Success
Measure Flour with a Scale:
Use a scale to measure flour accurately, preventing dry or dense cookies. If using a measuring cup, spoon the flour in and level it off with a knife. Make the Cookies the Same Size:
Ensure each cookie dough ball is evenly sized for consistent baking. Uneven sizes can lead to some cookies being overdone while others are underdone. Don't Worry if the Cookies Crack:
Cracks can happen during baking. Don't worry; the icing will cover any imperfections. Cool the Cookies Before Icing:
Make sure the cookies are completely cool before adding icing. If they’re still warm, the icing won’t set properly and may melt off.
Use a scale to measure flour accurately, preventing dry or dense cookies. If using a measuring cup, spoon the flour in and level it off with a knife. Make the Cookies the Same Size:
Ensure each cookie dough ball is evenly sized for consistent baking. Uneven sizes can lead to some cookies being overdone while others are underdone. Don't Worry if the Cookies Crack:
Cracks can happen during baking. Don't worry; the icing will cover any imperfections. Cool the Cookies Before Icing:
Make sure the cookies are completely cool before adding icing. If they’re still warm, the icing won’t set properly and may melt off.